Freshfields boosts Paris office with Paul Hastings team

Counsel Marc Lordonnois and senior associate Karine Debaecker will join Cuche at Freshfields from early April. Cuche specialises in PPP and infrastructure projects, with particular expertise on accommodation PPPs.

The public law team will complement the magic circle firm’s French finance, corporate and environmental law practices.

Paris managing partner Antoine Colonna D’Istria said in a statement: “These appointments will make a noticeable difference in how we can service our clients on French public law issues and we’re delighted to have such a talented and ambitious team join us.

“The French state, public entities and publicly owned or part-owned companies are major players in the French economy so we regard it as key to be able to service this client base as well as our clients who interact with them.”

Global finance head Alan Newton added: “Public law matters are an integral component of many transactions in the French market and are often a critical initial issue in structuring or assessing the feasibility of a  transaction. This is especially so on PPP and infrastructure transactions where Pascal and his team have considerable expertise. These appointments considerably strengthen our capabilities in advising both our domestic and international client base doing business in France.”

Paul Hastings has suffered a series of senior departures from its European offices in recent months. European projects chief Jonathan Simpson left for Hunton & Williams in February, while London asset finance head Keith Wilson and employment chief Christopher Walters exited late last year for Ingram Winter Green and Covington & Burling respectively.